Shock-absorber.



T. J. MULLEN & T. F. BRENNAN.

SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19 1911 1,049,512, Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

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'3 m Inuwntors Gum-lugs COLUMBIA PLANOGRMH co., \VASHINGTON. n4 :4

T. J. MULLEN & T. F. BRENNAN.

SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,049,512, Patented Jan.7, 1913, 1

. jails 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I /0 attorneys TfJ. MULLEN & T. F. BRENNAN.

4 SHOCK ABSORBER.

. I APPLICATION IILBD JUL Y 19, 1911. 1 49,5 1 2 Patented Jan? 7, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3mwntors 0 COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH cc., WASHINGTON, n. c.

T. J. MULLEN 6; T. F. BRENNAN. SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

O49 51 2 Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

4 $HEETSSHBET 4.

THOMAS J. MULLEN AND THOMAS F. BRENNAN, OF NEW BRIGHTON, NEW YORK.

SHOCK-ABSORBER.

T0 alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS J. MULLEN and THOMAS F. BRENNAN, citizens ofthe United States, residing at New Brighton, in the county of Richmondand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Shoclr-Absorbers; and we do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to pneumatic springs for vehicles for useespecially with automobiles, and has for an object the arrangement ofimproved means for utilizing the cushion and resilient eifect of apneumatic bag.

A further object of the invention is the arrangement of improved meansinterposed between the running gear and body of a vehicle for utilizingthe effect of a pneumatic bag for absorbing shocks and for ab sorbingand limiting the rebound.

A still further object of the invention is the arrangement in apneumatic shock absorber positioned between the body of a vehicle andthe running gear, of sliding guiding members for permitting a free upand down movement of the movable parts limited only by the action of thepneumatic bag, the limiting by said bag being in both directions forabsorbing the downward shock and the rebound.

WVith these and other objects in view the invention comprises certainnovel constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side View of an automobilewith an embodiment of the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a rearview of the structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged edge viewof a swinging frame and associated parts embodying certain features ofthe invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of a complete structure.Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is adetail perspective view of the swinging frame. Fig. 7 is a detailperspective view of the sliding frame. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe bag carrying members. Fig. 9 is a detail fragmentary View showingthe absorber in side elevation, and disclosing a side cushion or siderebound means.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19, 1911.

Patented Jan. t, 1913..

Serial No. 639,315. I

In constructing a shock absorber embodying the invention a pneumatic bagis provided associated with a plurality of sliding and swinging partseither connected with a car body or with the bag in some manner foracting together, and for causing the bag to absorb shocks not only fromunevenness of the road but to absorb the rebound after the originalshock. To this end the pneumatic bag is connected with an upper andlower sliding or movable plate, which plates are mounted in a swingingframe and adapted to move or reciprocate therein. One of these plates isdesigned to compress the bag for absorbing shocks, and then to move backto its original position. After this has occurred the lower or otherplate is pulled upward against the bag, and some what compresses thesame, whereby the bag absorbs the rebound.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodimentof the same is shown in the accompanying drawings in which 1 indicatesan automobile of any desired kind to which is secured a shock absorber 2embodying the invention. Also connected with the automobile 1 is a shockabsorber 3 constructed in any desired Way, preferably as disclosed in anapplication copending herewith. If desired, of course, a shock absorbersimilar to shock absorber 2. might be used instead of shock absorber 3.Both of the shock absorbers 2 and 3 are connected to an air tank 4 bysuitable pipes or tubes 5 and 6. The tank 4 is preferably divided intosections, one section being for each of the shock absorbers so that ifthere are four shock absorbers on a given vehicle there will be foursections in tank 4, and also four pipes or tubes for conveying air orcausing communication of air between the respective sect-ions of tank: 4and the re spcctive shock absorbers. By the arrangement of the air tank4 and the pipes or tubes connecting thesame with the air bags of therespective shock absorbers means are provided for utilizing the efl ectof a comparatively large volume of air between the car body and theaxle, so as to multiply the resilient effect of the air.

The shock absorber 2 is shown in detail in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive fromwhich it will be observed that the absorber is formed with an air bag 7.This air bag may be of any desired kind and is provided with a suitablecoupling 8 connecting the same with one of the pipes leading to the tank4.

guide plate 9 is provided with extending end portions 11 and 12 forengaging a larger area of the bag 7 when a shock is being absorbed. Theplate 9 is also formed with guiding projections 13 and 14 each of whichis formed with suitable depending members 15. The plate 9 is arranged ontop of bag 7 and adapted to reciprocate in ways 16 and 17 of theswinging frame 18. Frame 18 is provided with side members 19 and 20 anda connecting combined journal and bearing member 21. The combinedbearing and journal member 21 is provided with an aperture 22 whichaccommodates the axle 23 of the automobile 1. Of course the absorber maybe used upon any desired vehicle, but the automobile 1 is disclosedsimply to show the device applied. Connected with the lower part of thebag 7 is a plate 10 which is guided by upright portions 23 of members 19and 20 and the flanges 24 projecting from the plate. In order to assistthe movement of the flanges 24 and guiding plate 10 a a plurality ofbolts 25 project through the portions 23 and into slots 26 of plate 10.If found desirable the flanges 24 might be eliminated or the bolts 25might be eliminated. By this construction and arrangement any downwardpressure upon plate 9 will be resiliently resisted by bag 7 and anyupward pressure on plate 10 will be resiliently resisted by the samebag. 7

It will be noted that the construction just described is disclosed inFig. 8 and is adapted to fit into the swinging frame 18 disclosed inFig. 6. Also the structure shown in Fig. 7 is designed to fit over thesquared portion 27 of the combined member 21, and to press against plate9 and also act against plate 10. The sliding member 28 disclosed in Fig.7 isformed with a way 29 for fit ting over the squared port-ion 27. Way29 is formed with flanges 30 for guiding the member 28 in itsreciprocatory movement. The sliding member 28 is formed with sides 31and 32, each of which is formed with squared portions 33 and 34 whichare adapted to normally rest against the top of plate 9 and engageespecially the projections 11 and 12. The sides 31 and 32 are arrangedto extend below plate 10 and to have connect-ed therewith a cross bar35. Cross bar 35 may be connected to the sides 31 and 32 in any desiredway, as for instance by bolts 36. By this construction and arrangementwhen there is a shock encountered the squared portions 33 and 34 willpress downward against plate 9 and on the rebound the cross bar 35 willpress upwardly against plate 10. Plate 10 normally rests upon the crossbars 37 and 38 forming part of members 19 and 20 so that when the bag 7is pressed by the downward movement of plate 9 pressure will be conveyedto the swinging frame18 and from thence to the axle 23. Any upwardmovement of sliding member 28 independent of axle 23 will cause anupward pull upon cross bar 35 and consequently will move plate 10 upwardand press bag 7. As plate 10- moves upward and presses bag 7 plate 9will move upward to the upper end of the ways 16 and 17 if not alreadyat that position. Reciprocating or sliding member 28 is rigidlyconnected with the body of the automobile 1, or with the springs ifdesired. Stirrups or other devices may be used for receiving the springsof the vehicle for connecting the member 28 to the body of the vehicle.It also will be evident that the shock absorbers 2 and 3 may beconnected with the body of the vehicle directly and may be associatedtogether as shown in Fig. 1 or may be used independently. Either whenusing all four shock absorbers formed as disclosed by the shock absorber2, or by the shock absorber 3, the same may be associated with air tank4 for utilizing the effect of a large volume of air under compression.By dividing the tank 4 into compartments it will prevent the loss of thevolume of air utilized for all of the shock absorbers. In case one ofthe compartments of tank 4 should lose its air the same may be againsupplied with air through a suitable valve 4, or if desired the pipeconnecting any particular shock and the air bag thereof pumped full ofair and a suitable valve supplied directly to the bag for maintainingthe air in the valve. From this it will be noted that the respec tiveshock absorbers may be used either with or without the tank 4 and alsowith or with out the usual springs.

In Fig. 9 are disclosed a pair of springs 40 and 41 pressing against thesides of the frame 18. These springs surround axle 23. A pair of stops42 and 43 are provided for limiting the movement of springs 40 and 41,the same being held in place by suit-able set screws. It will be evidentthat the compression of springs 40 and 41 may be varied as occasion maydemand by shifting members 42 and 43. By this structure any lateral orside movement of the vehicle will be resiliently resisted without in anyway affecting the proper operation of the air bag and associated parts.

What we claim is:

1. A shock absorber comprising an air bag, a supporting frame therefor,a pressure member sliding over said supporting frame and adapted toreciprocate thereover, said absorber 2 may be disconnected therefrompressure member being formed with a pair of shoulders near the upper endand a cross member at the bottom, means loosely mounted upon saidsupporting frame for supporting said air bag on said frame, said looselymounted means being arranged in the path of movement of the cross bar ofsaid pressure member, whereby an upward movement of the pressure memberis cushioned, and a pressure plate mounted on the upper side of said airbag and arranged to engage the shoulders of said pressure member,whereby downward pressure on said pressure member will-be transmitted tosaid air bag.

2. In a shock absorber for vehicles, and the like, a swinging supportingframe, an upper plate loosely mounted in said frame and designed topress against the under surface of the upper part of said frame undercertain conditions, a lower plate mounted in said frame and designednormally to press against the lower part of said frame, an air bagarranged between said plates, and a reciprocating pressure memberconnected with the body of said vehicle substantially surrounding saidair bag and said plates, said pressure member being designed to normallyrest on said upper plate, whereby shocks from said body will be absorbedby said air bag, and rebounds will be absorbed by said air bag throughsaid lower plate, the lower part of said reciprocating pressure memberengaging said lower plate and raising the same.

3. In a shock absorber for vehicles, a swinging supporting frame mountedon the axle of said vehicle, a pressure member connected to the body ofsaid vehicle and slid ing over said frame, said pressure member beingformed with a pair of shoulders near the upper end and a cross member atthe bottom, an air bag being interposed between said pressure member andsaid supporting frame for taking up the shock, and means engaging saidbottom member for connecting said pressure member to the bottom of saidair bag, for causing the air bag to take up the rebound.

4. In a shock absorber for vehicles, a swinging frame arranged on theaxle thereof, a reciprocating pressure member fitting over said frameand connected with the body of said vehicle, an air bag, a plate forsupporting the air bag on said swinging frame, a second plate engagingsaid air bag and said reciprocating pressure member for transmittingpressure from said pressure member to said bag, said reciprocatingpressure member being also arranged to engage said first mentioned platefor causing the rebound of said reciprocating pressure member and therebound of the body of said vehicle to be taken up by said air bag.

5. In a shock absorber for vehicles, a swinging supporting frameconnected with the axle of the vehicle, an upper plate mounted in saidframe and designed to press against the end surface of the upper part ofsaid frame, a lower plate mounted in said frame designed to pressagainst the lower part of said frame, an air bag between the said platesand a reciprocating pressure member connected with the body of saidvehicle adapted to press against the said air bag in one direction whena shock is to be absorbed and in the opposite direction, when a reboundis to be absorbed.

6. In a shock absorber for vehicles, a supporting frame connected witheach axle of said vehicle, said frame being formed with a plurality ofguide ways therein, a pair of bodily sliding plates arranged to move insaid guide ways, an air cushion arranged between said plates andnormally holding said plates in their extreme positions, and areclprocating pressure member connected with the body of said vehicleand formed with means for pressing against one plate when a shock is tobe absorbed, and against the opposite plate when a rebound is to beabsorbed.

7 In a shock absorber for vehicles, a frame connected with the aXle ofsaid vehicle, an upper plate adapted to reciprocate in said frame, alower plate formed with flanges extending on each side and parallel withsaid frame, an air cushion arranged between said plates and adapted tobe compressed by a .movement of either of said plates, and areciprocating frame connect-ed with the body of said vehicle formed withan offset portion near one end for engaging the upper plate and actingthereon, and a cross bar connecting the lower part of said reciprocatingframe and engaging said lower plate for acting thereon, whereby adownward movement of the reciprocating pressure member and also anupward movement thereof will compress said air cushion and resilientlyresist movement by said reciprocating pressure member.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS J. MULLEN. THOMAS F. BRENNAN. Witnesses:

J. H. SEARLE, FRANK J. MULLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

